Taniel
@taniel.bsky.social
Daniel Nichanian. Editor in chief of @boltsmag.org (follow us!). Elections, (local) politics, voting rights, criminal justice, and drag race.
Now a story: www.abc4.com/news/politic...
Just now: The plaintiffs who were arguing that Utah GOP's congressional map is illegal won in court.
The judge orders one of the two maps submitted by the plaintiffs ('map 1') be used.
The ruling, if it stands, guarantees that Democrats will pick up a congressional seat in Utah next year.
The judge orders one of the two maps submitted by the plaintiffs ('map 1') be used.
The ruling, if it stands, guarantees that Democrats will pick up a congressional seat in Utah next year.
November 11, 2025 at 7:47 AM
Now a story: www.abc4.com/news/politic...
Just now: The plaintiffs who were arguing that Utah GOP's congressional map is illegal won in court.
The judge orders one of the two maps submitted by the plaintiffs ('map 1') be used.
The ruling, if it stands, guarantees that Democrats will pick up a congressional seat in Utah next year.
The judge orders one of the two maps submitted by the plaintiffs ('map 1') be used.
The ruling, if it stands, guarantees that Democrats will pick up a congressional seat in Utah next year.
November 11, 2025 at 6:55 AM
Just now: The plaintiffs who were arguing that Utah GOP's congressional map is illegal won in court.
The judge orders one of the two maps submitted by the plaintiffs ('map 1') be used.
The ruling, if it stands, guarantees that Democrats will pick up a congressional seat in Utah next year.
The judge orders one of the two maps submitted by the plaintiffs ('map 1') be used.
The ruling, if it stands, guarantees that Democrats will pick up a congressional seat in Utah next year.
I should really have fit into this post that this county voted for Trump.
NEW: Dems easily flipped the sheriff's office in Pennsylvania's Bucks County, a big swing county in the Philly suburbs.
So? The incumbent GOP sheriff had contracted with ICE. His Dem challenger promised to end the contract.
Now he wants other swing-state Dems to look at his victory as a lesson:
So? The incumbent GOP sheriff had contracted with ICE. His Dem challenger promised to end the contract.
Now he wants other swing-state Dems to look at his victory as a lesson:
Voters Ousted This Pennsylvania Sheriff After He Signed Up to Collaborate With ICE - Bolts
A populous, swing county replaced its GOP sheriff on Tuesday after months of controversy over his joining ICE’s 287(g) program. The Democratic winner promises he’ll end the contract.
boltsmag.org
November 11, 2025 at 6:21 AM
I should really have fit into this post that this county voted for Trump.
A Utah judge said she would rule on the state’s major redistricting case today… but we’re now well into the evening and still nothing.
November 11, 2025 at 3:45 AM
A Utah judge said she would rule on the state’s major redistricting case today… but we’re now well into the evening and still nothing.
Conservative school board members lost throughout Ohio on Tuesday: signalohio.org/culture-warr...
Culture warriors lost school board races all around Ohio - Signal Ohio
In cities large and small around Ohio, conservative incumbents who ran for school boards on culture war agendas lost re-election.
signalohio.org
November 11, 2025 at 2:36 AM
Conservative school board members lost throughout Ohio on Tuesday: signalohio.org/culture-warr...
Conservatives were trying to flip Spokane in 2023, & failed. They were hoping to flip Spokane in 2025, but instead the Dem-affiliated side appear to have gained ground.
The Progressive challenger just defeated the Republican incumbent to swing the Spokane City Council to a 6-1 Supermajority!
November 11, 2025 at 12:19 AM
Conservatives were trying to flip Spokane in 2023, & failed. They were hoping to flip Spokane in 2025, but instead the Dem-affiliated side appear to have gained ground.
My post of Decision Desk's decision to call the Seattle mayor race for Harrell last week didn't hinge on who would ultimately win: The point was that a "call" isn't a race to get a prediction right.
But Wilson now being ahead should at least bring more attention to the importance of not rushing.
But Wilson now being ahead should at least bring more attention to the importance of not rushing.
Calls are about certainty and not risking people's confidence in the final result. Speeding through for competition is not good and irresponsible.
November 11, 2025 at 12:17 AM
My post of Decision Desk's decision to call the Seattle mayor race for Harrell last week didn't hinge on who would ultimately win: The point was that a "call" isn't a race to get a prediction right.
But Wilson now being ahead should at least bring more attention to the importance of not rushing.
But Wilson now being ahead should at least bring more attention to the importance of not rushing.
Reposted by Taniel
In populous Bucks County, PA, where my family lived for several generations, the MAGA sheriff signed a pledge to use his resources to support ICE. And the voters removed him from office because of it. boltsmag.org/sheriff-of-b...
Voters Ousted This Pennsylvania Sheriff After He Signed Up to Collaborate With ICE - Bolts
A populous, swing county replaced its GOP sheriff on Tuesday after months of controversy over his joining ICE’s 287(g) program. The Democratic winner promises he’ll end the contract.
boltsmag.org
November 10, 2025 at 11:37 PM
In populous Bucks County, PA, where my family lived for several generations, the MAGA sheriff signed a pledge to use his resources to support ICE. And the voters removed him from office because of it. boltsmag.org/sheriff-of-b...
JUST IN: Katie Wilson is now ahead of Mayor Bruce Harrell in the Seattle mayoral race.
Stay tuned for details on today's count.
Stay tuned for details on today's count.
November 10, 2025 at 11:54 PM
JUST IN: Katie Wilson is now ahead of Mayor Bruce Harrell in the Seattle mayoral race.
Stay tuned for details on today's count.
Stay tuned for details on today's count.
Still nothing from Utah. But expect Seattle within the next hour at the latest.
two big local/state developments coming today:
1. the Utah judge who is overseeing the case over the state's congressional map had said she'd rule by today,
2. a potentially decisive update in the count for the Seattle mayoral race.
1. the Utah judge who is overseeing the case over the state's congressional map had said she'd rule by today,
2. a potentially decisive update in the count for the Seattle mayoral race.
November 10, 2025 at 11:21 PM
Still nothing from Utah. But expect Seattle within the next hour at the latest.
Reposted by Taniel
Advocates in New Jersey say lawmakers should codify into state law a directive that restricts local collaboration with ICE.
“We need to do whatever we can in New Jersey to protect our people,” says the director of the ACLU in the state.
“We need to do whatever we can in New Jersey to protect our people,” says the director of the ACLU in the state.
Immigration Protections Are Uncertain in New Jersey even as Democrats Keep Governorship
Advocates want to promptly codify the limits on immigration enforcement put in place by the outgoing governor. Mikie Sherill, Tuesday’s winner, has declined to say if she
boltsmag.org
November 10, 2025 at 6:30 PM
Advocates in New Jersey say lawmakers should codify into state law a directive that restricts local collaboration with ICE.
“We need to do whatever we can in New Jersey to protect our people,” says the director of the ACLU in the state.
“We need to do whatever we can in New Jersey to protect our people,” says the director of the ACLU in the state.
Reposted by Taniel
New data shows that the CCRB retroactively doctored public data for more than 10,000 misconduct allegations against NYPD officers.
hellgatenyc.com/ccrb-whitewa...
hellgatenyc.com/ccrb-whitewa...
The NYPD’s Watchdog Whitewashed More Than 10,000 Misconduct Allegations in Public Data, New Evidence Shows
Allegations of lying, sexual misconduct, bigoted statements, and racist policing were among those quietly reclassified by the Civilian Complaint Review Board.
hellgatenyc.com
November 10, 2025 at 9:46 PM
New data shows that the CCRB retroactively doctored public data for more than 10,000 misconduct allegations against NYPD officers.
hellgatenyc.com/ccrb-whitewa...
hellgatenyc.com/ccrb-whitewa...
Reposted by Taniel
"Ceisler hopes officials in other parts of the country are watching. “It sends a message to elected public safety leaders across the country that partnering with ICE is a loser in any district that’s remotely a swing district,” he said."
More great reporting from @burness.bsky.social
More great reporting from @burness.bsky.social
NEW: Dems easily flipped the sheriff's office in Pennsylvania's Bucks County, a big swing county in the Philly suburbs.
So? The incumbent GOP sheriff had contracted with ICE. His Dem challenger promised to end the contract.
Now he wants other swing-state Dems to look at his victory as a lesson:
So? The incumbent GOP sheriff had contracted with ICE. His Dem challenger promised to end the contract.
Now he wants other swing-state Dems to look at his victory as a lesson:
Voters Ousted This Pennsylvania Sheriff After He Signed Up to Collaborate With ICE - Bolts
A populous, swing county replaced its GOP sheriff on Tuesday after months of controversy over his joining ICE’s 287(g) program. The Democratic winner promises he’ll end the contract.
boltsmag.org
November 10, 2025 at 7:32 PM
"Ceisler hopes officials in other parts of the country are watching. “It sends a message to elected public safety leaders across the country that partnering with ICE is a loser in any district that’s remotely a swing district,” he said."
More great reporting from @burness.bsky.social
More great reporting from @burness.bsky.social
this period where your donations to Bolts are matched by NewsMatch started a week ago, and it's been a smashing success so far:
would love to keep up that energy still and go into 2026 on the strongest possible footing!
would love to keep up that energy still and go into 2026 on the strongest possible footing!
Do you want to support our work at Bolts? Become a $5 monthly donor today and we’ll immediately get $60 in matching funds!
That’s right: The NewsMatch program, which launched on November 1, is multiplying all new monthly subscriptions by 12 right now.
That’s right: The NewsMatch program, which launched on November 1, is multiplying all new monthly subscriptions by 12 right now.
Support Bolts
We are a nonprofit publication that covers the nuts and bolts of political change, from the local up, and we need reader support to build our journalism.
boltsmag.org
November 10, 2025 at 9:34 PM
this period where your donations to Bolts are matched by NewsMatch started a week ago, and it's been a smashing success so far:
would love to keep up that energy still and go into 2026 on the strongest possible footing!
would love to keep up that energy still and go into 2026 on the strongest possible footing!
Reposted by Taniel
A Republican sheriff in a swing county that Trump won by 0.1% signed a contract to help ICE, then lost last week by 11.
New by me in @boltsmag.org: boltsmag.org/sheriff-of-b...
New by me in @boltsmag.org: boltsmag.org/sheriff-of-b...
Voters Ousted This Pennsylvania Sheriff After He Signed Up to Collaborate With ICE - Bolts
A populous, swing county replaced its GOP sheriff on Tuesday after months of controversy over his joining ICE’s 287(g) program. The Democratic winner promises he’ll end the contract.
boltsmag.org
November 10, 2025 at 7:20 PM
A Republican sheriff in a swing county that Trump won by 0.1% signed a contract to help ICE, then lost last week by 11.
New by me in @boltsmag.org: boltsmag.org/sheriff-of-b...
New by me in @boltsmag.org: boltsmag.org/sheriff-of-b...
Reposted by Taniel
Hoyer is notable because his desire for certain territory in his district helped prevent an 8-0 map with a third Black district in prior remaps (especially in 2012).
If Axios' recent report that he's likely to retire is accurate, it would make an 8-0 map with increased Black representation easier
If Axios' recent report that he's likely to retire is accurate, it would make an 8-0 map with increased Black representation easier
Steny Hoyer & Jamie Raskin send letter to MD Senate President Bill Ferguson, who has opposed mid-decade redistricting, saying that he should move forward with a new map:
"We believe such an effort can survive any legal attack"
"We believe such an effort can survive any legal attack"
Exclusive: Hoyer, Raskin pressure Ferguson to join national redistricting fight
Reps. Steny Hoyer and Jamie Raskin are sending a letter Monday to the state’s General Assembly, applying pressure on Senate President Bill Ferguson.
www.baltimoresun.com
November 10, 2025 at 8:42 PM
Hoyer is notable because his desire for certain territory in his district helped prevent an 8-0 map with a third Black district in prior remaps (especially in 2012).
If Axios' recent report that he's likely to retire is accurate, it would make an 8-0 map with increased Black representation easier
If Axios' recent report that he's likely to retire is accurate, it would make an 8-0 map with increased Black representation easier
Reposted by Taniel
An Australian scholar explains the idea that drove Australia to adopt compulsory voting: "You would know that the government that was elected had the support of the majority of voters in the electorate—not just the majority of the people who turned up."
“An Egalitarian Pressure”: Australia Has Been Requiring People to Vote for 100 Years
As Australia compels voters to show up at the polls this weekend, a scholar lays out the genesis of
boltsmag.org
November 10, 2025 at 5:00 PM
An Australian scholar explains the idea that drove Australia to adopt compulsory voting: "You would know that the government that was elected had the support of the majority of voters in the electorate—not just the majority of the people who turned up."
NEW: Dems easily flipped the sheriff's office in Pennsylvania's Bucks County, a big swing county in the Philly suburbs.
So? The incumbent GOP sheriff had contracted with ICE. His Dem challenger promised to end the contract.
Now he wants other swing-state Dems to look at his victory as a lesson:
So? The incumbent GOP sheriff had contracted with ICE. His Dem challenger promised to end the contract.
Now he wants other swing-state Dems to look at his victory as a lesson:
Voters Ousted This Pennsylvania Sheriff After He Signed Up to Collaborate With ICE - Bolts
A populous, swing county replaced its GOP sheriff on Tuesday after months of controversy over his joining ICE’s 287(g) program. The Democratic winner promises he’ll end the contract.
boltsmag.org
November 10, 2025 at 7:12 PM
NEW: Dems easily flipped the sheriff's office in Pennsylvania's Bucks County, a big swing county in the Philly suburbs.
So? The incumbent GOP sheriff had contracted with ICE. His Dem challenger promised to end the contract.
Now he wants other swing-state Dems to look at his victory as a lesson:
So? The incumbent GOP sheriff had contracted with ICE. His Dem challenger promised to end the contract.
Now he wants other swing-state Dems to look at his victory as a lesson:
Stay tuned for our latest story at Bolts on Tuesday's results — it's on the local loss of an ICE ally.
November 10, 2025 at 6:32 PM
Stay tuned for our latest story at Bolts on Tuesday's results — it's on the local loss of an ICE ally.
SCOTUS today agreed to hear a case that could strike down what's known as a "grace period," the practice many states have of allowing mail-in ballots to count if they're postmarked by Election Day, even if they arrive in the following days.
Bolts reported on the conservative push to end this:
Bolts reported on the conservative push to end this:
Trump Wants Mail Votes to Arrive By Election Day. Red States Are Rushing to Toe the Line. - Bolts
Two more states just banned grace periods for mail ballots that are sent before polls close but arrive after Election Day. Trump and conservative judges stepped up attacks, too.
boltsmag.org
November 10, 2025 at 5:26 PM
SCOTUS today agreed to hear a case that could strike down what's known as a "grace period," the practice many states have of allowing mail-in ballots to count if they're postmarked by Election Day, even if they arrive in the following days.
Bolts reported on the conservative push to end this:
Bolts reported on the conservative push to end this:
important news on SCOTUS + LGBTQ rights this morning;
BREAKING: The Supreme Court DENIES former county clerk Kim Davis's request for the justices to take up her longshot bid to overturn 2015's Obergefell v. Hodges marriage equality decision. No justice even writes about the request.
November 10, 2025 at 3:34 PM
important news on SCOTUS + LGBTQ rights this morning;
two big local/state developments coming today:
1. the Utah judge who is overseeing the case over the state's congressional map had said she'd rule by today,
2. a potentially decisive update in the count for the Seattle mayoral race.
1. the Utah judge who is overseeing the case over the state's congressional map had said she'd rule by today,
2. a potentially decisive update in the count for the Seattle mayoral race.
November 10, 2025 at 3:34 PM
two big local/state developments coming today:
1. the Utah judge who is overseeing the case over the state's congressional map had said she'd rule by today,
2. a potentially decisive update in the count for the Seattle mayoral race.
1. the Utah judge who is overseeing the case over the state's congressional map had said she'd rule by today,
2. a potentially decisive update in the count for the Seattle mayoral race.
Reposted by Taniel
A really good (and uplifting! 😊) thread about what else went on in last week's Dems blowout in the US, beyond the big headliners 👇
Might you have missed some of the depth of Tuesday's results, beyond the big headline races?
I'd been watching roughly 200 races heading into Election Day, so here's a thread of some of what you don't want to skip over!
🧵
I'd been watching roughly 200 races heading into Election Day, so here's a thread of some of what you don't want to skip over!
🧵
November 10, 2025 at 1:04 PM
A really good (and uplifting! 😊) thread about what else went on in last week's Dems blowout in the US, beyond the big headliners 👇
Big redistricting day Monday: Utah judge has said she’ll rule by tomorrow on the law Utah Republicans passed to define a gerrymander, and on what map the state ought to use in 2026. www.kuer.org/politics-gov...
November 10, 2025 at 2:12 AM
Big redistricting day Monday: Utah judge has said she’ll rule by tomorrow on the law Utah Republicans passed to define a gerrymander, and on what map the state ought to use in 2026. www.kuer.org/politics-gov...
Reposted by Taniel
Virginia's Democratic Senate Majority Leader told Bolts after Tuesday's elections that his party will move forward with redistricting in early 2026, saying, “I don’t see many Republican states pumping the brakes, because they all seem to be falling in line behind their dear leader.”
Five Ways Tuesday’s Results Will Affect Voting Rules and Democracy - Bolts
From felony disenfranchisement and mail-voting to mid-decade gerrymanders, Tuesday delivered verdicts on election law across these five states.
boltsmag.org
November 9, 2025 at 9:33 PM
Virginia's Democratic Senate Majority Leader told Bolts after Tuesday's elections that his party will move forward with redistricting in early 2026, saying, “I don’t see many Republican states pumping the brakes, because they all seem to be falling in line behind their dear leader.”